Grading Panthers' win against Falcons

The Panthers' Steve Smith fights for yardage in a victory against the Falcons on Sunday.

John Clark/Halifax Media Services

By Richard Walker

Published: Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 03:55 PM.

RUN OFFENSE: The Panthers were right on their average with 131 yards and got solid, balanced production from all four runners. Jonathan Stewart, back in action for the first time since Week 12 of last season, led the way with 43 yards on nine carries. And they did this with injuries knocking out both right guards. Grade: B

PASS OFFENSE: Cam Newton suffered his first interception in four weeks and his 68.4 passer rating was his second-lowest of the season. But Carolina did manage to turn 13 of the 23 completions into first downs, none bigger than the fourth-and-one 14-yard TD pass to Greg Olsen in the second quarter. Grade: B

RUN DEFENSE: Atlanta had its third-best rushing attack of the season. But the 78-yard output was just below the Panthers’ defensive average (79.3) and only slightly ahead of the Falcons’ last-place 62.4 average. Grade: A-

PASS DEFENSE: Matt Ryan started hot, largely because of six completions for 81 yards to eventual Hall of FamerTony Gonzalez, but only one (for 14 yards) went to the big tight end in the second half. And Carolina sacked Ryan once and intercepted three passes, returning one of them for a touchdown. Grade: A-

SPECIAL TEAMS: Graham Gano is having as good a season as any kicker in the NFL and Ted Ginn Jr. returned a punt 24 yards to set up a Panthers touchdown. Only a 16-yard Falcons punt return could be considered poorly played — and that came on Brad Nortman’slongest punt (57 yards), so the net of 41 yards was acceptable. Grade: A

COACHING: After being criticized for being too conservative earlier in the season, Rivera has continued to be aggressive during the four-game winning streak. That included a fourth-down try that resulted in a touchdown, changes in pass coverage that helped limit Gonzalez to one reception after halftime and moving an offensive tackle (Nate Chandler) into a guard position after two players went down due to injury. Grade: A

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RUN OFFENSE: The Panthers were right on their average with 131 yards and got solid, balanced production from all four runners. Jonathan Stewart, back in action for the first time since Week 12 of last season, led the way with 43 yards on nine carries. And they did this with injuries knocking out both right guards. Grade: B

PASS OFFENSE: Cam Newton suffered his first interception in four weeks and his 68.4 passer rating was his second-lowest of the season. But Carolina did manage to turn 13 of the 23 completions into first downs, none bigger than the fourth-and-one 14-yard TD pass to Greg Olsen in the second quarter. Grade: B

RUN DEFENSE: Atlanta had its third-best rushing attack of the season. But the 78-yard output was just below the Panthers’ defensive average (79.3) and only slightly ahead of the Falcons’ last-place 62.4 average. Grade: A-

PASS DEFENSE: Matt Ryan started hot, largely because of six completions for 81 yards to eventual Hall of FamerTony Gonzalez, but only one (for 14 yards) went to the big tight end in the second half. And Carolina sacked Ryan once and intercepted three passes, returning one of them for a touchdown. Grade: A-

SPECIAL TEAMS: Graham Gano is having as good a season as any kicker in the NFL and Ted Ginn Jr. returned a punt 24 yards to set up a Panthers touchdown. Only a 16-yard Falcons punt return could be considered poorly played — and that came on Brad Nortman’slongest punt (57 yards), so the net of 41 yards was acceptable. Grade: A

COACHING: After being criticized for being too conservative earlier in the season, Rivera has continued to be aggressive during the four-game winning streak. That included a fourth-down try that resulted in a touchdown, changes in pass coverage that helped limit Gonzalez to one reception after halftime and moving an offensive tackle (Nate Chandler) into a guard position after two players went down due to injury. Grade: A